Michaelia Cash insists Senate support so far only goes to RSRO delay rather than RSRT abolition
Federal employment minister Michaelia Cash has called on owner-drivers to bring their trucks and grievances to Canberra over the Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO).
“Quite frankly, get your trucks out and, if you have to, do a convoy to Canberra,” Cash tells radio station 2GB’s Ross Greenwood last night.
“That’s how serious this issue is and that’s how serious the Turnbull government takes this issue.”
The move came as independent senator Glenn Lazarus made plain his belief that direct action would ensue.
“Convoys are about to take place across the country!,” Lazarus states on his facebook page.
Along with the effort, which will have echoes of the 2011 ‘Convoy of No Confidence’ if realised, Cash urges calls be made to opposition leader Bill Shorten’s office.
With the order in force, she also advises affected parties to clarify their positions with the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
She also appears to agree that the RSRO net could open wider than truck owner-drivers to encompass.
On parliamentary moves, she says legislating a delay is the first priority as Senate numbers for abolishing the RSRT were unavailable.
“I need to work with what my reality is – my reality is that I need six cross-benchers,” Cash says.
“Labor and the Greens will not support this legislation to vote for the stay.
“Some [cross-benchers] have indicated they will vote for the stay but they will not vote for the abolition.”
What has happened since last week?
The ALC, ATA, SARTA and Ai Group called for the abolition of the tribunal owing to its flawed approach to road safety. Read the full story here.
A Government-commissioned review of RSRT was released, wanting major changes made to the RSRT. Read the full story here.
The review even pointed to the benefits in removing the tribunal. Read the full story here.
The RSRT decided not to delay the introduction of mandatory rates for contractor drivers. Read the full breakdown here.
The tribunal used its verdict to slam its opponents. Read the full story here.
Industry bodies joined forces in condemning the decision of the RSRT. Read the full story here.
Later that evening, the Federal Group in Brisbane put a temporary stay on RSRO following an urgent application by NatRoad and ATA. Read the full story here.
Earlier this week, employment minister Michaelia Cash announced the government would push for legislation to delay the start of RSRO to January next year. Read the full story here.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) announced it would strongly fight the delay. Read the full story here.
Members of the TWU heckled minister Christopher Pyne at a press conference in Adelaide for his views supporting a delay to the RSRO. Read the full story here.
The federal government to rely on Senate crossbenchers for legislative changes to delay the Order. Read the full story here.
The government invites industry feedback on the Road Safety Remuneration System policy reforms, releases schedule of review forums. Read the full story here.
Private contractor group Independent Contractors Australia seeks cash to challenge RSRT in the High Court. Read the full story here.